My Approach to Therapy

“Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already.” – Pema Chödrön

My approach is based on principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) originally developed by Steve Hayes, Ph.D. and Kelly Wilson, Ph.D. ACT has been empirically-validated to be effective across a wide range of mental health diagnoses, age groups and cultural backgrounds. It is a contextual behavioral approach that helps you develop mindfulness-based skills which help you live a life that is in line with your own unique values.

ACT helps us to see that all feelings (especially uncomfortable, painful ones) are useful, and not to be struggled against; ACT shows all of us how to have a different relationship with our thoughts, feelings, and physical experiences, so that instead of rejecting these unwanted thoughts and feelings, we learn to live with them and live well. The ACT process enables us to see which direction we want to take our lives, and learn mindfulness skills to help us have the strength and perseverance to get there.

It is my hope that our journey together can help you to be the kind of person, daughter or son, parent, or partner that you want to be, and ultimately, live a meaningful, and purposeful life.

ACT is experiential, oftentimes involves utilizing role-plays and metaphors, and includes therapy assignments in between sessions.

My Background

University of California, Los AngelesBachelor of Arts in Psychology, 1994-1997

California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, SF Bay AreaDoctor of Psychology, 1998-2003